Letter from Bishop Loverde: Ash Wednesday

2/03/16

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

The season of Lent will be different this year, because it
occurs during a unique time: the Jubilee Year of Mercy. In
itself, mercy means a generous, faithful and compassionate
goodness. Mercy has a face! According to Pope Francis, "Jesus
Christ is the face of the Father's mercy" (cf. Misericordiae
Vultus, no. 1).

When he announced the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis
asked that "the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year be lived
more intensely as a privileged moment to celebrate and
experience God's mercy" (ibid., no. 17). So, this Lent, we
are to experience God's mercy ourselves from God's own Son
Jesus Christ and to offer mercy to others, especially to
those in real need, whatever the nature of their need. Mercy,
then, has another face: the compassion, forgiveness,
assistance and care given to our brothers and sisters.

Through more intentional and sustained prayer, we encounter
Mercy Incarnate in His Word and through an outward sign in
each of the sacraments, especially in Penance and the Holy
Eucharist. The Sacrament of Penance is more available in each
of our parishes each Wednesday during Lent from 6:30-8:30
p.m. through our participation in The Light is ON for You
initiative. Moreover, through the works of penance or
mortification, including fasting, we become more freed and
more disciplined in order to listen to Christ's Word and to
embrace Him in prayer and the sacraments.

Almsgiving - giving generously to those in need - takes on a
key focus this Lent, because, in giving alms, we manifest
God's mercy. As Pope Francis states so clearly in his message
to us this Lent: "In the corporal works of mercy we touch the
flesh of Christ in our brothers and sisters who need to be
fed, clothed, sheltered, visited: in the spiritual works of
mercy - counsel, instruction, forgiveness, admonishment and
prayer - we find more directly our own sinfulness. The
corporal and spiritual works of mercy must never be
separated" (cf. Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent
2016, no. 3). One tangible way to practice the corporal works
of mercy is taking part in the Rice Bowl initiative sponsored
by the United States Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief
Services. It is one way in which we can help to alleviate the
scourge of global hunger.

Lent is given to us disciples of Jesus Christ and members of
His Body the Church so that we can reclaim our Baptismal
dignity and live more authentically as Christ's followers.
Lent is the season for us to draw closer to Jesus Christ,
Mercy Incarnate, so that we can become and remain "convincing
heralds of mercy" (cf. Op. Cit., no. 25) all year long, all
life long. Yes, Lent is different this year, as each one of
us encounters Jesus Christ, Mercy Incarnate, and, thus
transformed, becomes mercy incarnate to everyone we
encounter.